By Phiwa Sikhondze
As the year begins, ENACTUS Eswatini has called upon young people in tertiary institutions to ensure they register with the programme for the year 2024 on their various campuses.
ENACTUS, whose name is derived from the phrase “ENtrepreneurial ACTion for US all’, is an international organization that connects students, academic and business leaders through entrepreneurial-based projects that empower young people to transform opportunities into real, sustainable progress for themselves and their communities. This is done through student programmes that are established on campuses across the country, where students apply business concepts that change lives and shape a better, and more sustainable world.
ENACTUS Eswatini Communications Officer Temalangeni Dlamini said that the programme is also a meaningful way for tertiary students to use their time productively while pursuing their studies.
“We provide a platform for teams of self-driven university students to create community development projects that put people’s ingenuity and talents at the centre of improving the trajectory of their lives. Guided by educators we refer to as Faculty Advisors as well as business leaders who are our partners and board of directors, our students take the kind of entrepreneurial approach that empowers people to be part and parcel of their success. Our work transforms both the lives of the communities we serve and in turn, the lives of our students as they develop into highly effective, values-driven leaders,” she said.
Dlamini also said that the programme can help address the high rate of youth unemployment in the country, by providing mentorship, support and resources to the students who can become employers through their innovative community projects.
“The benefits that students are exposed to are life long and make them stand out even in the world of employment or business from those who are not part of ENACTUS. We pride ourselves in offering hands-on experience, networking opportunities, leadership development, community development, social impact, business skills as well as resume enhancement and job readiness to mention some. The high rate of youth unemployment is a cause for concern and if the youth is given enough mentorship, support and resources; we could have more youth not only gainfully employed but others can be employers through their innovative community projects. The programme is also a meaningful way for tertiary students to use their time productively while pursuing their studies and may discourage them from partaking in harmful behaviour such as substance abuse and relying on exchanging sexual favours for their upkeep,” she said.
The call to register with ENACTUS is open to all institutions of higher learning in the country; ten of which currently offer the prestigious ENACTUS programme as a club or society recognized by the administration of the institution. These are:
- CIT College
- Eswatini College of Technology (ECOT)
- Eswatini Medical Christian University
- Good Shepherd College of Health Sciences
- Limkokwing University of Creative Technology
- Ngwane Park TVET College
- Ngwane Teacher’s Training College
- Southern African Nazarene University (SANU) – all 3 campuses
- University of Eswatini (UNESWA) – all 3 campuses
- William Pitcher College
Students in the tertiary institutions where Enactus is already operational are urged to register via a form found on the Enactus Eswatini Facebook page while tertiary institutions who do not have the Enactus programme on offer can contact the Communications Officer by sending an email to tdlamini@enactus.org